The Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department and Ethiopian Airlines today announced launching of an e-visa service for all international visitors to Ethiopia.
It will be effective as of today June 1, 2018.
“We are glad that we have been working together with Ethiopian Airlines for the effective implementation of e-visa facilities at Bole International Airport. Now international visitors to Ethiopia, from any country in the world will make use of this service,” said Mr Gebreyohannes Teklu, Director Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs of Ethiopia.
“Moreover, we have set up a dedicated contact center to provide responsive service during or after travelers’ experience with our online service,” he said.
The move is expected to increase the number of visitors to Ethiopia and signals the country’s commitment to the economic integration of Africa, which among other things includes the free movement of people across the continent.
Speaking at the African finance ministers conference in Addis ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has stated that his country will soon follow the footsteps of Kenya and Ghana in ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area protocol the country has signed last March in Kigali, Rwanda.
Though the e-visa service initially launched in June, 2017 was available for a limited number of countries, under the new initiative all international visitors will be able to travel to Ethiopia by processing their visa online.
The e- visa is processed and issued online on a single webpage where applicants apply, pay and secure their entry visa online. Once the application is approved, applicants will receive an email authorizing them to travel to Ethiopia and they will get their passport stamped with the visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa.
Regarding the newly revamped service, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, “Ethiopia, the oldest independent civilization in Africa and one of the oldest in the world, is endowed with historical places, natural beauty, colourful and diverse cultural activities and various endemic wild animals which are of great interest to international tourists. However; we have not made best use of these natural resources to attract large number of tourists. To this effect, this project is part of a new national initiative to transform the tourism sector in the country.
The full commencement of the Online Visa application and issuance system will promote tourism, trade and investment to the country. It will save time, energy and cost for travelers to Ethiopia in addition to the simplicity and convenience that it facilitates, according to Ethiopian CEO.
“With direct flights to/from more than 110 destinations from all corners of the world operated by the most modern airplanes, we will continue to make travel to Ethiopia, dependable, easy, convenient and affordable. I will take this opportunity to thank our IT team and our colleagues at the Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs for the commendable collaboration and the job well done,” Mr. Tewolde added.